Following are a list of websites for organizations we at NLN feel can be important to living a balanced, empowered lifestyle--as well as contributing to the growing need for us to come together in community. Most are national in scope, but with local branches or chapters you can search for on their websites. Come on--take a look and get involved!

Local Harvestwww.localharvest.org
Local Harvest maintains a reliable "living" public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food organic sources. Their search engine helps people find products from family farms, local sources of sustainably grown food, and encourages them to establish direct contact with small farms in their local area. The Buy Local movement is quickly taking us beyond the promise of environmental responsibility that the organic movement delivered, and awakening the US to the importance of community, variety, humane treatment of farm animals, and social and environmental responsibility in regards to our food economy. A great resource!

Food Routeswww.foodroutes.org
Do you know where the food you're eating comes from? Buying your food locally is good for your local economy, good for family farmers, good for your family's health, and good for the environment. Find names of (but not live links!) local groups and locations where you can purchase in your community. Find local organic farms, farmer markets, CSA's (community-supported agriculture), healthy restaurants, food co-ops and much more.

Eat Wild
http://www.eatwild.com/
Find a state-by-state map and Directory of local pastured meat and dairy products (as well as some wild seafood, honey, etc.) in the Eatwild Directory of Farmers. Support your local producers!

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE)http://www.livingeconomies.org/
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, or BALLE, is North America's fastest growing network of socially responsible businesses, comprised of over 80 community networks in 30 U.S. states and Canadian provinces representing over 22,000 independent business members across the U.S. and Canada.

Transition United Stateshttp://transitionus.org
The Transition Town Movement is a grassroots movement that builds ommunity resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. It represents one of the most promising ways of engaging people in strengthening their communities against the effects of these challenges, resulting in a life that is more abundant, fulfilling, and socially connected. Find out if your town is a "Transition Town" and if not--why not get one started where you live? Training is available.

Slow Moneywww.slowmoney.org
Our Goal: A million people investing 1% of their assets in local food systems... within the decade. Slow Money's mission is to build local and national networks, and develop new financial products and services, dedicated to:
* investing in small food enterprises and local food systems;
* connecting investors to their local economies; and,
* building the nurture capital industry.

U.S. Green Building Councilhttp://www.usgbc.org
The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit community of leaders working to make sustainable buildings available to everyone, offering education, advocacy and resources. Find a local chapter near you.

American Sustainable Business Councilhttp://www.asbcouncil.org
American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a growing coalition of business networks committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy. They are dedicated to moving beyond the politics and practices of the past to identify the innovative solutions that will transform our economy and society. No local chapters, this is a national organization only.

Green America (formerly Co-Op America)www.greenamerica.org
Green America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982. Their mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. They publish the National Green Pages (numerous socially conscious and sustainable resources) and offer membership in the Green Business Network™, a diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the US.

Download the latest iPod and iPad apps for local foodies from iTunes:Locavore--Connect to your local markets, find out what’s in season where you live and pick up some great recipes. $2.99iFarmMarket--Find contact information and schedules for nearly 5,000 farmer’s markets across the country. 99¢HarvestMark Food Traceability--Trace your food to its source using your phone’s camera to scan the codes on hundreds of millions of fresh food items. Free